SC4 got its dance on

With a packed gymnasium and a group known as the Zuzu African Acrobats, hailing from Mombasa Kenya.

“It was the largest single audience I have ever experienced on our campus during my 16 years at SC4,” said Pete Lacey, Vice President of Student Services and Chair of the Global Diversity Council. “The gym was full of energy and audience members were having a great time.”

On Feb. 11, the Zuzu African Acrobats troupe performed in the SC4 gymnasium. Several of the members of the group were known for having appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”

“I thought the show was fantastic,” said Geri Kimbro, founder of MLK event and SC4 Global Diversity member, “They were awesome.”

They danced, they tumbled, they contorted their bodies in cringe worthy manners, and they balanced precariously on chairs. All for the pleasure of the audience.

Zuzu members entertain audience by balancing on objects such as chairs during their performance.

An audience that was at times, part of the show.

“We packed the gym for the first time in years, and it couldn’t have been any better. And I was glad to see so many young people participating in the show,” said Kimbro.

One of those participants was a former SC4 student who wished to be known by his stage name, Phoenix. He was amongst many audience members who chose to show off their limbo skills.

“It was hard. I did it before, but that always was hard for me before,” said Phoenix. He went on to say that he enjoyed the show, and would attend if SC4 did a similar event in the future.

A former SC4 student, who wanted to be known by his stage name Phoenix, performed the limbo during audience participation.

“Based upon the success of this show we will certainly be looking to offer a similar type of experience to our campus and community next year,” said Lacey.

Baya said that what he and the others do when performing is considered a part of their culture. And that if anyone is to take anything away from the show, “we like for them to do some exercising.”

Kimbro felt that the acrobats brought some cultural diversity to SC4, and “that’s what we’re all about.”

“We wanted to provide the audience an opportunity to have fun while experiencing the rich cultural history of East Africa in celebration of Black History Month,” said Lacey.

Lacey said that feedback from the show has been very positive.

“Audience members left our campus happy and several people posted on Facebook about how much they enjoyed the show. We were also contacted by an organization in Canada that saw the article in the Times Herald and wanted contact information,” said Lacey.

How did SC4 manage to snag such an event?

“We actually received an email prior to the holiday’s from the organizer stating they would be traveling near our area and wondering if we would be interested in a show,” said Lacey. “We were looking for an event to celebrate Black History Month and inquired about bringing the show to our campus.”

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